Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A touch sensor comprising: a first set of tracks configured to electrically couple a first set of connection pads of the touch sensor to a first set of electrodes of the touch sensor, the tracks of the first set of tracks comprising respective first portions and second portions, the respective first portions and the respective second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks extending in a first direction, the respective first portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks being substantially parallel and the respective second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks being substantially parallel; and a second set of tracks configured to electrically couple a second set of connection pads of the touch sensor to a second set of electrodes of the touch sensor, a first track of the second set of tracks terminating at a location along the first track of the second set of tracks, a second track of the second set of tracks being substantially parallel to the respective second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks; the first set of tracks having a first pitch between the respective first portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks and a second pitch between the respective second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks, the first and second pitches measured perpendicularly to the first direction, the first pitch being less than the second pitch, the respective second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks positioned after, along the first direction, the location at which the first track of the second set of tracks terminates; the respective first and second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks extending in the first direction along at least a portion of a length of an edge of a touch-sensitive area of the touch sensor that also extends in the first direction for the portion of the length.
A touch sensor has two sets of conductive tracks connecting connection pads to electrodes. The first set of tracks has portions running parallel to each other and parallel to an edge of the touch-sensitive area. The tracks have two different pitches (track spacing). One portion of the tracks has a smaller pitch, and another portion has a larger pitch. The second set of tracks also runs parallel, but one of the tracks terminates before the larger pitch section of the first track set begins. This variable pitch arrangement optimizes routing density and signal integrity as the tracks connect to electrodes.
2. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein the respective first portions and the respective second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks are parallel to the portion of the length of the edge of the touch sensitive area of the touch sensor.
The touch sensor as described above has the parallel portions of the first set of tracks aligned parallel to the edge of the touch-sensitive area of the touch sensor. This means the tracks not only run in the same direction as the edge, but are also physically parallel to that edge. This optimizes signal routing along the edge of the touch sensor.
3. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein: the first set of electrodes are drive electrodes; and the second set of electrodes are sense electrodes.
In the touch sensor described above, the first set of electrodes, connected to the tracks with variable pitch, are drive electrodes, while the second set of electrodes, connected to the tracks that terminate, are sense electrodes. This arrangement specifies which set of tracks and electrodes are responsible for driving the touch sensing signals and which are used to sense changes in capacitance caused by touch.
4. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein the second set of tracks are located along the edge of the touch-sensitive area of the touch sensor.
A touch sensor system includes a touch-sensitive area with multiple conductive tracks for detecting touch inputs. The system comprises a first set of tracks arranged in a grid pattern to detect touch locations within the touch-sensitive area. Additionally, a second set of tracks is positioned along the edge of the touch-sensitive area to enhance touch detection accuracy, particularly near the perimeter. These edge tracks may improve signal quality and reduce interference at the boundaries of the touch-sensitive region. The system may also include a controller that processes signals from both the grid and edge tracks to determine precise touch coordinates. The edge tracks can be used to compensate for signal distortions or to provide additional reference points for touch detection. This configuration helps ensure reliable touch sensing across the entire touch-sensitive area, including near the edges where traditional grid-based systems may experience reduced accuracy. The system may be used in various touch-sensitive devices, such as touchscreens, touchpads, or other input interfaces.
5. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first set of tracks are arranged in a cascading pattern.
In the touch sensor described above, the first set of tracks (the ones with variable pitch) are arranged in a cascading pattern. This cascading pattern refers to an arrangement where the tracks are staggered or offset relative to each other. This likely facilitates denser routing and improved signal integrity.
6. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein the second set of tracks are arranged in a cascading pattern.
In the touch sensor described above, the second set of tracks (the ones with a track termination) are arranged in a cascading pattern. This cascading pattern refers to an arrangement where the tracks are staggered or offset relative to each other. This likely facilitates denser routing and improved signal integrity.
7. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein a difference between the first pitch and the second pitch is caused at least in part by different separation distances between the tracks of the first set of tracks.
The difference in pitch (track spacing) in the first set of tracks of the touch sensor, as described above, is caused, at least in part, by different separation distances between the tracks. The tracks themselves can have uniform widths, and changing the space between them causes the change in pitch.
8. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein a difference between the first pitch and the second pitch is caused at least in part by different widths of the tracks of the first set of tracks.
The difference in pitch (track spacing) in the first set of tracks of the touch sensor, as described above, is caused, at least in part, by different widths of the tracks themselves. The separation between tracks can remain constant, while variations in track width affects the pitch.
9. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein a difference between the first pitch and the second pitch is caused at least in part by the termination of the first track of the second set of tracks.
The difference in pitch (track spacing) in the first set of tracks of the touch sensor, as described above, is caused, at least in part, by the termination of one or more of the tracks in the second set of tracks. Terminating a track frees up space, allowing the first set of tracks to spread out and increase pitch.
10. The touch sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first and second set of electrodes are made of a mesh of fine lines of conductive material.
In the touch sensor described above, both the first and second sets of electrodes are constructed from a mesh of fine lines of conductive material. The mesh structure provides good conductivity while maintaining transparency, allowing for use in transparent touchscreens.
11. A device comprising: a touch sensor comprising: a first set of tracks configured to electrically couple a first set of connection pads of the touch sensor to a first set of electrodes of the touch sensor, the tracks of the first set of tracks comprising respective first portions and second portions, the respective first portions and the respective second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks extending in a first direction, the respective first portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks being substantially parallel and the respective second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks being substantially parallel; and a second set of tracks configured to electrically couple a second set of connection pads of the touch sensor to a second set of electrodes of the touch sensor, a first track of the second set of tracks terminating at a location along the first track of the second set of tracks, a second track of the second set of tracks being substantially parallel to the respective second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks; and a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium embodying logic that is configured when executed to control the touch sensor; the first set of tracks having a first pitch between the respective first portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks and a second pitch between the respective second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks, the first and second pitches measured perpendicularly to the first direction, the first pitch being less than the second pitch, the respective second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks positioned after, along the first direction, the location at which the first track of the second set of tracks terminates; the respective first and second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks extending in the first direction along at least a portion of a length of an edge of a touch-sensitive area of the touch sensor that also extends in the first direction for the portion of the length.
A device incorporates a touch sensor and a computer-readable storage medium with control logic. The touch sensor has two sets of conductive tracks connecting connection pads to electrodes. The first set of tracks has portions running parallel to each other and parallel to an edge of the touch-sensitive area. The tracks have two different pitches (track spacing). One portion of the tracks has a smaller pitch, and another portion has a larger pitch. The second set of tracks also runs parallel, but one of the tracks terminates before the larger pitch section of the first track set begins. The control logic manages the touch sensor's operation.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the first set of tracks extend diagonally in a second direction between the respective first portions and the respective second portions of the tracks of the first set of tracks.
In the device and touch sensor described above, the first set of tracks (the ones with variable pitch) extend diagonally between the portions with smaller and larger pitch. This means the transition between the two sections is not abrupt, but occurs through a diagonal section.
13. The device of claim 11 , wherein: the first set of electrodes are drive electrodes; and the second set of electrodes are sense electrodes.
In the device and touch sensor described above, the first set of electrodes, connected to the tracks with variable pitch, are drive electrodes, while the second set of electrodes, connected to the tracks that terminate, are sense electrodes. This arrangement specifies which set of tracks and electrodes are responsible for driving the touch sensing signals and which are used to sense changes in capacitance caused by touch.
14. The device of claim 11 , wherein the second set of tracks are located along the edge of the touch-sensitive area of the touch sensor.
In the device and touch sensor described above, the second set of tracks (the ones that have a track termination) are located along the edge of the touch-sensitive area of the touch sensor. Positioning these tracks along the edge helps in optimizing space and minimizing the overall sensor size.
15. The device of claim 11 , wherein the first set of tracks are arranged in a cascading pattern.
In the device and touch sensor described above, the first set of tracks (the ones with variable pitch) are arranged in a cascading pattern. This cascading pattern refers to an arrangement where the tracks are staggered or offset relative to each other. This likely facilitates denser routing and improved signal integrity.
16. The device of claim 11 , wherein the second set of tracks are arranged in a cascading pattern.
In the device and touch sensor described above, the second set of tracks (the ones with a track termination) are arranged in a cascading pattern. This cascading pattern refers to an arrangement where the tracks are staggered or offset relative to each other. This likely facilitates denser routing and improved signal integrity.
17. The device of claim 11 , wherein a difference between the first pitch and the second pitch is caused at least in part by different separation distances between the tracks of the first set of tracks.
The difference in pitch (track spacing) in the first set of tracks of the touch sensor within the device, as described above, is caused, at least in part, by different separation distances between the tracks. The tracks themselves can have uniform widths, and changing the space between them causes the change in pitch.
18. The device of claim 11 , wherein a difference between the first pitch and the second pitch is caused at least in part by different widths of the tracks of the first set of tracks.
The difference in pitch (track spacing) in the first set of tracks of the touch sensor within the device, as described above, is caused, at least in part, by different widths of the tracks themselves. The separation between tracks can remain constant, while variations in track width affects the pitch.
19. The device of claim 11 , wherein a difference between the first pitch and the second pitch is caused at least in part by the termination of the first track of the second set of tracks.
The difference in pitch (track spacing) in the first set of tracks of the touch sensor within the device, as described above, is caused, at least in part, by the termination of one or more of the tracks in the second set of tracks. Terminating a track frees up space, allowing the first set of tracks to spread out and increase pitch.
20. The device of claim 11 , wherein the first and second set of electrodes are made of a mesh of fine lines of conductive material.
In the device and touch sensor described above, both the first and second sets of electrodes are constructed from a mesh of fine lines of conductive material. The mesh structure provides good conductivity while maintaining transparency, allowing for use in transparent touchscreens.
Unknown
October 10, 2017
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